Need help finding where to buy sensor!!

[sarah95tbird]

I have a 95 LX with 4.6. The climate control unit is electronic and I'm looking for the sensor (I think Ford calls it a Ambiant Temperature Sensor) which controls the blend door motor. It's located just behind the little vent hole that looks kinda like a small speaker which is immediately to the right of the radio. I've called and called and called around Houston area salvage yards with no luck so far. Many of Birds in the salvage yards had manual units which won't work. Ford has done a nation wide search and they don't have the part, and they told me that this sensor was never produced aftermarket., so used parts is the only way I know to go.

I just spent a lot of money to have the blend door motor and heater core fixed just to be held from a working heater back by the darn sensor. Can ANYONE help? Do you know of salvage yards/used auto part dealers who possible specialize in Fords?

Any help would be appreciated.

~Sarah

[overl0rd]

Can't you get a new one from Ford? I'm sure if they don't have it on hand they can order you one. I wouldn't rely on a junkyard part for something like that.

[sarah95tbird]

Originally Posted by overl0rd

Can't you get a new one from Ford? I'm sure if they don't have it on hand they can order you one. I wouldn't rely on a junkyard part for something like that.

Unfortunately Ford has discontinued this part and they used their nationwide locator to determine that no one in the country - including the detroit warehouse - has the part. Since it was never produced aftermarket, the salvage yard is the only option I could think of... Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated, though.

[97Bird]

You may be asking for them to find the wrong part. The part you need is the Automatic Temperature Control Sensor. The Ambient Air Temperature Sensor is located on the radiator support. It's time to start going through the yellow pages in your area looking for auto salvage yards, if Ford can't get the part. I don't know if 'Birds before 95 have the same sensor but I'm sure up to the 97's will work for you. When you call the yards ask if they have any 95-97 Birds with climate control. To check the sensor, measure the resistance between the terminals.

Approx Temp Acceptable Range
50-68 degrees 37K-58K ohms
68-86 degrees 24K-37K ohms
86-104 degrees 16K-24K ohms
Good Luck!

[overl0rd]

If it just works on resistance, and a replacement can't be had, you could just replace it with a resistor.

[97Bird]

It's a Thermister which changes its resistance according to the air temperature. I suppose you could use a 75K pot and adjust it youself!